It's apple harvest season, which is a perfect time for the fledgling brewer to try making hard cider. Home brewing offers the chance to make your own fresh organic drink that's preservative-free and low on sulfites (some sulfites will naturally occur during fermentation). Bonus: This tasty beverage is gluten-free.

September 13, 2013

You may not want to believe it but the summer heat is dissipating, school sessions are beginning, and fall is just around the corner. Whether you spent your summer white-water rafting, kayaking and canoeing, floating, fishing, or just plain ole' swimming, now's a great time do give back to your community by doing your part to keep America's bodies of water clean.

Make next weekend a green one by organizing a river cleanup with friends and family (it's easier than you'd think). And on the off chance organizing isn't your thing, just volunteer! You'll have a great time getting rid of rubbish, while helping keep our natural playgrounds in tip-top shape for next summer and making sure wildlife have safe wintering grounds.

August 19, 2013

The only green concerns most college kids have upon setting foot in a party are the bottles of Heineken lining the counter and the emerald shirt their crush is wearing. On debaucherous fall evenings, thoughts of environmental activism may be fleeting. But maintaining a party's social appeal, while pleasing fellow collegiate environmentalists, is possible.

Neutralize pesky Solo cups.

In the realm of American partying, the red Solo cup reigns supreme. But, in addition to dulling your inhibitions, booze might lead you to forget just how detrimental these lightweight, liquor-holding receptacles are to the environment. Although Solo cups are cheap, some recycling centers don’t accept them, and decomposition can take hundreds of years. Still, solutions exist! For smaller gatherings, consider opening your cabinets to guests — after all, who cares about a few extra dishes if you’re saving the environment? If throwing a larger party — looking at you, bro — purchase Solo’s less-iconic, but environmentally-friendlier option instead. And, if you find yourself at a party with only red plastic cups, mark yours with your name and reuse it through the night.

Green stuff in your green cup.

So, you’ve upped the eco-friendliness of your drinking device — now what about its contents? Stay away from larger distribution beers, because many of them (like Heineken or Budweiser) use more water when brewing than their craft counterparts. However, one exception to the rule is Sierra Nevada, which places a premium on producing sustainable products. Meanwhile, plenty of distilleries embrace environmentally-friendly agendas. Most of these businesses achieve their goals by utilizing old-school techniques: organic, local ingredients, efficiently used.

August 07, 2013

As the first British royal born in the twenty-first century, Prince George will be blazing lots of new trails. Considering the world’s need for leaders on climate change, hopefully the Prince, more tethered to the environment’s future than any of his predecessors, will take up the conservationist cause. But until he’s walking and talking, we’ll have to defer to his parents, William and Kate. There are a few ways the royals — and other new parents — can reduce their baby’s carbon footprints.

Cloth diapers

“Frugality” and “British royalty” are rarely associated, but if William and Kate want to get their son’s green life off to a great start they should opt for a reusable diaper option. Parents who ditch the Pampers and go old school remove themselves from a $3.6 billion dollar market that produced 2 percent of all municipal waste, according to a 1990 study. However, switching materials isn’t necessarily enough, because if parents wash cloth diapers the wrong way they can actually leave a larger carbon footprint that disposable ones. To stay green, wash diapers with other laundry in high-efficiency appliances, and line dry them. Because bulk is usually better (read: greener), consider a diaper laundry service. If you're stateside, try one of these.

June 20, 2013

School is out and the summer solstice has arrived, which means it's the perfect time to make a playlist to accompany your summer activities. Whether you listen while you exercise outdoors or use them to create an atmosphere for your lemonade stand, this list of songs from eco-artists will harmonize with all of your sizzling summer experiences.

1.) GOING TO THE BEACH“The Sound of Sunshine” by Michael Franti & Spearhead

Michael Franti, of the reggae fusion band Michael Franti & Spearhead, is quite the environmental activist. This vegan musician organized of the Power to the Peaceful Festival in 2010 where music merged with eco villages, green organizations, healing sanctuaries, and green food vendors. Additionally, recycling was encouraged everywhere on the festival site, no bottled water was sold, and his tour bus ran on biodiesel. Though none of his songs directly reference his passion for the environment, his music is very relaxing and it perfectly complements the feeling of soaking in the sun at the beach. Check out the video below.

May 08, 2013

Love is unlimited, but money and time aren't always as abundant. With Mother's Day fast approaching, many of us are scrambling to find a gift that shows our love, but not our lack of resources. Whether you're restricted by a tight budget or you're just low on spare time, we've got a few gift ideas that will make your mom smile.

Gifts on the Go If you're flush with cash but don't have a second to spare, a few clicks will put one of these products en route to your mother.

Spread the love around by giving one of these upcycled gifts: Purchase a recycled candle holder that helps homeless mothers in Chicago or a recycled necklace that helps support impoverished Ugandan women.

Gifts on a Budget If your pockets are empty but you're full of creativity, go the DIY route this year.

February 12, 2013

With Valentine’s Day approaching, The Green Life is dishing out tips to help you enjoy an eco-friendly day of romance. Yesterday we discussed environmentally friendly candle options, today we will focus on topics that are a bit more. . . intimate.

Tip #2: Go Green. . . in the Bedroom

These four products will help you stay green while enjoying intimate activities
with your special someone.

Good Clean Love —Organic,
Vegan Personal Lubricant

While other lubricants often contain harmful chemicals, this
organic lubricant is paraben, glycerin and petrochemical free. Additionally,
the vegan product is not tested on animals. Good Clean Love
products can be found at your local Whole Foods Market for around $15.

February 11, 2013

Love is in the air! With Valentine’s Day approaching, many of us are planning a day of romantic activities with that special someone — or just looking for ways to pamper ourselves. But who says romance only comes in shades of red? This week, we'll share some eco-friendly Valentine’s Day ideas that will show you just how romantic green can be.

Tip #1: Green Your Candles

Nothing sets the mood like a candlelit room. Unfortunately some candles use paraffin, a product derived from petroleum, making them not so eco-friendly. But we have a great alternative that won't require you to sacrifice that romantic atmosphere. Soy candles are all-natural and are said to release a more pure, pleasant scent then other candles. Additionally, the US is the world’s largest soybean supplier, so it is likely that the soy used to make your soy candle was grown domestically. A good brand to check out is Pacifica Soy Candles, this company hand makes every candle with vegetable soy wax and lead-free wicks. Beeswax Candles are another eco-friendly option. Like soy candles, they are au naturel, void of byproducts of petroleum like paraffin, and artificial fragrances.

Have a little extra time on your hands? Watch the video below to learn how to make your own soy candles right at home.

January 20, 2013

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was more than a monumental figure for social
change, he was also a man dedicated to service. In memory of his life
and legacy, it is important that we all ask ourselves what he believed
to be life's most urgent question,"What are you doing for others?" With
this in mind, we encourage you to take the time to give back to
your community and make MLK day a day on, not a day off. Below are a list
of ten activities taking place in major cities around the country.

Looking for a way to serve your community while enjoying beautiful scenery? Commemorate MLK Day by volunteering with Golden Gate National Parks. There are volunteer opportunities at the following locations: Alcatraz, Fort Baker, Marin County, Mori Point, Muir Beach, Ocean Beach,
Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco, San Mateo County. Whether you are restoring garden on Alcatraz or assisting with grounds maintenance at Fort Baker, these activities are sure to enhance the community. All ages are welcome.

Volunteer with Truly Living Well (Atlanta, GA)

Help
create a more sustainable community by joining Truly Living Well in
their day of service event. Volunteers will be installing bed gardens
for low-income housing divisions, families, community centers, and
schools while encouraging people to grow their own food and eat healthy. This
event will begin at 9:00 am at the Wheat Street Garden at 75 Hilliard St
NE, Atlanta, GA.

January 07, 2013

Ooh baby it's cold outside! But what to do to fight off that icy weather that's got you shivering and shaking? Whether you love to be outdoors or long to hibernate during the wintery months, we've got some suggestions to help you keep that chill out of your bones.

Go on a hike: The best way to warm up is to get your blood pumping, and going for a hike is the best way to do that if you’re looking for a cheap and invigorating form of entertainment. Hike the JMT or the Appalachian Trail for a bigger challenge, or head to the closest trail near you for an impromptu adventure.

Go to a movie: After a couple days of lounging around the house, sometimes you just have to get out, no matter how cold it is outside. Movies are a great way to escape from the cold and get rid of that cabin fever. You could check out the latest blockbusters, but why not take the opportunity to educate yourself. We recommend Chasing Ice for a profound look at the effects of climate change.

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